Charleston: Thank You
“A MESSAGE FOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW. I just want to say that the last several months have not been easy for any of us. They have been on a roller coaster that I hope we never have to repeat. And we still seem to have a long way to go. But I am not so worried now as I was in the beginning because I have come through this far with you by my side. I don't always think to tell you, but you are a rock for me in more ways than I can say. You have made these last many weeks more hopeful for me and, I know, for many others. So, thank you for being strong. Thank you for being there. And thank you for helping us to keep moving on the path to a brighter tomorrow.” Bishop Steven Charleston's Facebook page.
I have been reading this post by Bishop Charleston several times a day for the past month. It is the encouraging message we all would like to hear from a friend.
I have sometimes imagined God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit speaking this message directly to us. We feel heard. We don’t really yearn for others to fix us. We simply desire to know they have heard us.
We are to speak our truth, try to help people in need as best we can. But our greatest gift is just listening and then letting others know we have heard them using words similar to the writing of Bishop Charleston. When someone listens to us, really listens, the child in us, the Christ within, feels heard.
What next? Whenever we have heard these words from a friend, we must give the words away. It is like love. It is love. We must listen to someone else’s pain, be present to them and let them know we have heard them in love.
May we send Charleston’s message of gratitude to all who need to hear it, maybe to all we know!
Today I say thank you to all the health care workers and first responders who must be so much more tired than we are as they care for our loved ones, especially when they are alone.
Today I say thank you to the fire fighters saving our country in the west.
Today I say thank you to all the support people who care for us during this pandemic, grocery workers, postal workers, delivery workers.
Today I say thank you for all who are running for office in this election who love and care for our country.
Today I say thank you to all who are wearing a mask and staying socially distanced in order to protect their neighbors.
Today I especially say a special thank you to the first responders and rescue workers, on the central gulf coast who are saving and already starting recovery after Hurricane Sally which is sixteen years to the day after the central gulf coast was almost destroyed by Hurricane Ivan and forty-one years after the devastation of Hurricane Frederic. Our stories tell us that recovery happens, but it is the unknown and the waiting that is so difficult.
Our stories tell us that survival and recovery and strength come from thank you, thank you for those who offered help in the past and will be there in days to come.
Joanna. joannaseibert.com